Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-04-02
"OLD MRS. COLE"
BY S. A. WEISS.


swell, do declare, Mrs. Stebbins
So you've been up to Barnville, and never
let soul of us know about it2'
"Oh,' said Mrs. Stebbins, as she
alighted from a wagon at her own door,
and shook hands with Miss Naylor. who
happened to be passing, ''you see, only
went for day and night, so didn't
think it worth while to advertise it on the
church h-door, wanted to buy some dry
goods and kitchen things, and they're
cheaper in Barnville than in little Mace
like this. And besides, there's nv niece.
Maria, whom hadn't seen since her last
baby was born, and she and the baby both
in poor health. So l thought might as
well go up, and SO kill two birds with
one stone"
"To-be-surel And how did YOU find
Maria and the baby? And how are all
the folks in Barnville2"
"Well, l was glad to find them two
looking pretty smart and spry; and as for
the rest. | didn't hear of anybody being
sick or in trouble, unless twas old Mrs.
Cole"
"Ah. So old Mrs Coles sick?" said
Miss Naylor, with look of aroused inter
est. "And what is it ails her this time?n
''Why, nothing much, reckon. / did
hear Marin holler to little Betty Cole, and
ask how her gran ma was to-day; and she
said bout the same as yesterday. Maria
asked if the fever was gone down; but
just then Jeems came in to dinner, so |
didn't hear the rest, and forgot to ask
Maria about Mrs. Cole"
''Well, well I'm sorry to hear she's
sick, poor soul for she's a good woman,
and we can't easy afford to spare such.
But she's well on in years, and I've been
.ruther expectin' to hear of her being took
down, considerin' she's over sixty. But
law me mustn't keep you standin' here
in the street, and you just come home.
Good-by and depend upon me for comm
round soon to see what pretty things
you've brought" ."
With this Miss Naylor turned awav,
and with her basket on her arm pro,
ceeded to the store for supply of groce-
ries.
There she found Mrs. Brown, the house
carpenters wife, engaged in cheapening
calico.
"You amt as smart as Miss Stebbins, "
said Miss Naylor, as the two critically
examined the quality of the calico. "She's
been up to Barnville, and laid in lot of
dry goods and things, for the sake of
saving about twenty five cents or so. For
my part, ! go for encouraging home
trade
"Well. don't know" Mrs. Brown re-
piled, doubtfully. Seems to me every
body's bound to look out for their own
interest, and i confess I'd be willing to
90 little out o. the way to save twenty
five cents. But what did Sally Stebbins
say was the news in Barnville2"
"NothiDg, except that old Miss Coles
down with fever Miss Stobbins said she
was no better when she left. She's over
sixty, and wouldn't be surprised to hear
Of her death any minute"
II wonder IL John Coles wife knows
Of it2 She ought to be told. for her hus-
bands mother was second cousin TO old
Mrs. Cole, and they've got the same
family name, and always been friendly.
II she dies, they'll of course go TO the
funeral as they did when the old man
died, four years ago. "
Then Miss Naylor turned to the grocer
les, and Mrs Brown, having concluded
her bargain by persuading the merchant
to take basket Of dried apples in part
payment for his goods, left the store and
took her way homcward, well pleased.
Meeting ncighbor on the way, the
two stopped to exchange greetings and
inquire the news.
THAT reminds me-, said Mrs. Brown,
promptly. ''I've jest this minute parted
from Liza Naylor, and she told me that
she'd seen Mrs. Etebbins, who's jest from
Barnvills, and left old Mrs. Cole as low